Dunhill Black Aromatic

This is more of an eulogy than a review as this great tobacco is deceased. I've been savoring it for several years now, having been fortunate enough to buy all that was left at a Swiss tobaconnists just before the Dunhill ban went into effect. I always wondered what the delicious aroma was. So I asked a Brit non smoker with an excellent nose: It's ‘black treacle' was the immediate and confident response. That is most likely why it is called “Black” Aromatic. Black treacle is a crude form of molasses. There are wafts of maple syrup, and of course the highest quality virginias used by Dunhill, now aged about 7-10 years. Smokes smooth and cool, no gurgles, nice and strong. I believe English law required that any pipe tobacco flavoring be entirely natural, which would explain that there is no chemical taste, and these tins were made before English tobacco was required to have mold retardants – which explains it's tendency to dry out if not kept in a proper humidifier. It's an old school tobacco, requiring care and a little British savy to know what it is. The rich, sweet natural tobacco taste makes up about three quarters of the flavor, and the black treacle fills out the last quarter, complimenting the blend beautifully. And there is just the faintest occasional trace of rose and violet, for an appreciation of which one would have had to taste the delicious Charbonnel & Walker Rose and Violet Creams, very traditional and very British gourmet chocolates. Dry, not too sweet, enticing, unique and strong to the last drop. I've dedicated an Aktas 22mm bowl, Group 6 meerschaum to it; a once a week delight.

This was a delightful change of pace for me. The aromatic note (both at the match and in the tin) was very subdued, as is the case with most, if not all Dunhill aromatics. Dunhill's Royal Yacht is an aromatic but tastes purely tobacco like in character. So does Black Aromatic, but the casing is less traditional.

If you like a tobacco taste in your pipe, this will please. If you prefer goopy aromatics with little tobacco pleasing value, then look elsewhere. I will buy this again because it is cool, semi-sweet, and real tobacco. I will compare it to McClelland's Deep Hollow, but with more tobacco punch. Thoroughly enjoyable. I went thru the tin quickly and will hunt up another in the not too distant future.

This is a typical English aromatic, which means that it is very slightly flavoured. I can't really remember the smell, but it smelled more of tobacco than of the flavoring.

The cut of the blend makes it easy to pack, it doesn't need any breaking down. The taste is a bit weird though, because it's not totally aromatic nor totally just tobacco. It does smoke well and leaves a nice dry bowl.

I'm a bit ambiguous on my verdict on this tobacco. Bought it once, don't think I will buy anymore. IT's not cheap tobacco, of course, it's Dunhill, but it doesn't really appeal to me. But for anybody that wants a tobacco slightly flavored and still want the taste of tobacco, Black Aromatic might do the job for you.

Rightly or wrongly, I find myself comparing aromatices in terms of their tobacco-to-aromatic flavour ratio. In this case it gets a 3:2, ie, certainly aromatic, but most definitely heavier on the tobacco side and therefore not a full-on aromatic in my book. The tin aroma is sweet and cherry-like with a definite deep molasses note. In the smoking it burns well and not too wet and produces a pleasing room aroma. The taste being light cherry/caramel but with a peppery tobacco and somewhat earthy taste left on the palate. This last aspect not being my most favourite point, although this same tobacco taste provides a welcome punch to what is essentially a medium smoke. It will be staying in my collection as a regular!

I don't like aromatics, but a tobacco from Dunhill always intrigues me, so I gave it a try. It was strange, tasting like alcoholic cased to me, but definitely smokable. You can always taste the real tobacco under the topping, the quality is high as usual, as the cut and the box. Elegance I think can be the best quality of this tobacco.

Is this the perfect aromatic? I may be biased, having only a 4 year (at least) old tin that had been lurking in the bowels of my tobacconists for years, but its awesome!

Tin aroma is sweetish, elegant, natural tobacco mingling with the most pleasant casing (sparingly applied)I have smelt. Nothing like the syrupy aromatics that smell of candy, nor a sweet vanilla smell, but something fruity, sweet, with a distinct smell of brandy or spiced rum. In fact, the only thing I can compare it too is christmas pudding, just after the flame has gone out. Its delicious,I dont usually get urges to eat tobacco!

Its a little effort to light,and does go out from time to time, the pieces being on the large side and a little moist. Cool burning, and does not bite. The flavour is wonderful, natural creamy tobacco, rich but not a heavy taste, with a pleasant sweetness. It lasts, and does not sour toward the end of the bowl, although it does leave a little dottle, as do most aromatics.

The only problem is its strength. I seem to be the only persn to experience this, looking at the above reviews, but it is rather strong, and must be treated carefully for this reason. Perhaps its just because I keep sniffing at the fragrant smoke, but it can get a little overwhelming, its best to smoke it after a good meal for this reason.

Splendid stuff, I recommend it. Unfortunately it does not seem to be available, Ill have to see if I can find any more mature tins hiding in tobacconists shops.

I don`t enjoy this blend, to litle nicotine and flavor, the only advantage is the very pleasente aroma for the sorrounding people.

Not an aromatic in the usual meaning of the term: there's hardly any topping here (if anything at all). This would be rather a "natural aromatic", a tobacco with a slightly sweet aroma due to the processing of the leaves rather than the spraying of additives. I found an oldish tin of this stuff at a local tobacconist, so why not giving it a try? Well, I doubt I will finish the tin... It's not strictly bad: it is a rather competent blend of burley, virginia, oriental and (I suspect) black cavendish. It has a light taste, but a medium body: hints of sweetness, hints of citrusiness, a tobacco-feel that clearly divides this from the usual aromatics. Anyway, I find it terribly boring... When I want a natural aromatic, I'd better stick to Barbary Coast from now on... And the weird tickling in the mouth common to most other Dunhill's non-Latakia blends is present (as is their usual care in cut and burning qualities). Not a very rewarding smoke, in my opinion, but probably more because of my personal taste than because of objective reasons.

I like to keep at least one aromatic kicking around for a change of pace and this one was quite a good smoke. For aromatic fanciers looking for a tobacco with a bit more tobacco taste, try it out. Smokers of natural tobaccos may enjoy this blend as a change of pace as I did. The quality of the leaf is excellent and the casing is not overwhelming. It has a bit of the soapy nose to it upon lighting (much like Light Flake) but this dies down, leaving you with a very flavorful smoke that burns cool and leaves minimal dottle. I'll try it again for sure.

This was my second dunhill blend. Bought after Night Cap, it was not what I was looking for. However, I smoked it regularly for a couple of years in college. A nice smooth smoke, ocasionaly overpowering, diversified in taste. Hardly ever a tongue-bite and a nice, cool, forgiving burner, it is a good companion to study, lit for hous at a time. Still try it with joy. Very little, interesting casing only compliments the natural aroma.